Biosphere functional integrity boundary and cities: Comparing Rotterdam and Lagos

The biosphere functional integrity boundary is that 20-25% of every square kilometre of managed lands should be reserved for nature. This paper assesses what the implications and challenges of implementing this boundary are. We use Earth System Justice (ESJ), content analysis of relevant multi-level policy documents, and case studies in Rotterdam and Lagos. We conclude that the concept of ESJ can be improved by taking data injustice, context, and materialities/timescales into account. From urban scholarship we learn that greening leads to gentrification (rising prices, displacement, inequality), could be countered by the every square km emphasis. Rotterdam is close to achieving this boundary, but there are still risks of gentrification, inequitable access, and poor quality green. In Lagos, greening is in rich areas and greening policy competes with development needs. We conclude that the Earth Commission’s safe and just target needs to be justly implemented to avoid gentrification and complement development.